There is no single price for a bathroom renovation. Two bathrooms of the same size can cost very different amounts depending on whether the layout changes, what is hidden behind the walls and the finishes you choose. This guide explains what drives the cost, what published Canadian cost guides report, and how to plan a budget you can rely on.
Key points
- Scope matters more than size: keeping fixtures where they are is usually the biggest cost saver.
- Waterproofing, ventilation and plumbing are where cutting corners costs the most later.
- Published ranges are a starting point only. They are national figures, not Brampton quotes.
- The most reliable number is a written estimate based on your actual bathroom and selections.
What published cost guides report
HomeStars, a Canadian home-services marketplace, publishes a bathroom renovation cost guide. Its 2026 guide (updated August 21, 2026) reports the following ranges for Canada as a whole:
Please note: these are Canada-wide figures published by a third party. They are not Brampton prices, they are not guaranteed, and they are not NextWave Renos quotes.
| Type of project | Reported range |
|---|---|
| Powder room | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| Basic fixture and tile update (cosmetic) | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| Kids’ bathroom with standard tub and surround | $8,000 to $14,000 |
| Mid-range full renovation | $10,000 to $18,000 |
| Master (primary) bathroom | $18,000 to $35,000+ |
Third-party ranges from the HomeStars bathroom remodel cost guide (Canada-wide). Not Brampton prices or NextWave Renos quotes.
The same guide puts the overall average at about $14,500, with most homeowners spending between $8,500 and $21,000. Treat these figures with care: they cover all of Canada, the guide does not explain how they were gathered, and they cannot account for the condition of your home. NextWave Renos does not publish set prices, because every bathroom is priced on its own scope.
Three levels of bathroom renovation
Most projects fall into one of three levels. Knowing which one you are planning makes every estimate easier to compare.
1. Refresh
New vanity, toilet, faucets, lighting, mirror and paint, sometimes new flooring. The tub or shower stays, the plumbing stays where it is, and walls are not opened up. This is the least disruptive option.
2. Full renovation in the same layout
The room is taken back to the studs or subfloor and rebuilt: new tub or shower, waterproofing, tile, vanity, fixtures, lighting and ventilation. Fixtures stay in roughly the same places, so drains and supply lines are reused or modified rather than moved.
3. Layout change or major remodel
Fixtures move, a tub becomes a walk-in shower, a wall shifts, or the room grows. This adds drainage, venting and framing work. The City of Brampton lists installing new or altering existing plumbing, and installing, changing or removing partitions, as work that requires a building permit (City of Brampton Home Improvement brochure).
What actually drives the cost
Plumbing changes
Moving a toilet, shower or vanity means new drain and vent routing, not just longer pipes. Toilet drains are large and need the right slope, so relocating one can mean opening the floor and the ceiling below. Keeping the existing layout is usually the single biggest cost saver.
Shower and tub choices
A standard tub with a tiled surround is the simplest option. A tub-to-shower conversion, a frameless glass enclosure, a built-in niche or bench, a linear drain or a curbless (zero-threshold) entry each add labour and materials. Curbless showers often require lowering or reframing part of the floor so water drains properly.
Waterproofing
Tile and grout are not waterproof. A shower needs a waterproofing system behind and under the tile, with sealed corners, seams, valve and drain connections, and a floor that slopes to the drain. This is not the place to save money: repairing a failed shower usually means removing all of the tile.
Tile and surface preparation
The tile itself is only part of the cost. Large-format tile needs very flat walls and floors, and mosaics, patterns and niches take more installation time. If the existing walls or subfloor are uneven or damaged, preparation adds to the scope.
Vanity, fixtures and lighting
Stock vanities, custom cabinetry, wall-hung units, thermostatic valves, rain heads and lighted mirrors vary widely in price. Wall-mounted fixtures need extra blocking and plumbing inside the wall.
Ventilation and electrical
A properly sized exhaust fan protects your new finishes from moisture. New lighting, heated floors or extra outlets add electrical work. In Ontario, most electrical work requires a notification to the Electrical Safety Authority, and hired electrical work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor (ESA).
Hidden conditions
Water damage, rotted subfloor, old galvanized piping or outdated wiring often only show up once the old bathroom is removed. A good estimate explains how unexpected work will be reviewed, priced and approved before it proceeds.
Want to know where your bathroom fits? A free estimate starts with measuring your space and reviewing what is behind the walls you want to change.
REQUEST A FREE BATHROOM ESTIMATEWhere to spend and where to save
Worth investing in:
- A proper waterproofing system and correct shower floor slope
- A quiet, adequately sized exhaust fan
- Good substrate preparation for tile
- Quality valves and cartridges inside the wall, which are hard to replace later
Places to save:
- Keep the toilet, shower and vanity in their current locations
- Choose a standard-size tub, shower base or vanity
- Use feature tile on one wall or niche instead of everywhere
- Select durable mid-range fixtures rather than designer lines
How to plan your bathroom budget
- Decide on the level of renovation. Refresh, full renovation in the same layout, or layout change. This decision has the biggest effect on cost.
- List must-haves and nice-to-haves. For example, a walk-in shower may be a must-have and heated floors a nice-to-have. This makes trade-offs easier if the estimate comes in higher than expected.
- Choose key products early. Vanity size, shower configuration and tile format affect labour, so estimates are more accurate once these are known.
- Set aside a contingency. Hidden conditions are common in older bathrooms. Ask how unexpected work will be handled before you sign.
- Check permit needs. Installing bathroom cupboards without changing the existing plumbing does not need a building permit, but installing new or altering existing plumbing does (City of Brampton).
How to compare bathroom renovation estimates
Estimates are only comparable when they describe the same work. Check that each one:
- Lists what is included and what is excluded, room by room
- Names the shower waterproofing method rather than just “tile shower”
- States who supplies fixtures, tile and the vanity
- Explains who is responsible for permits and ESA notification where required
- Describes how changes will be documented and priced
- Comes from a contractor who carries liability insurance and WSIB coverage
How NextWave Renos prices a bathroom
We provide free, personalized estimates. We visit your home, take measurements and review the existing conditions, discuss your goals and preferred materials, and then prepare a detailed written estimate that sets out what is included and what is excluded. If the scope changes during the project, the change is documented in writing before the work proceeds. Learn more about our bathroom renovations in Brampton.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renovate a bathroom for $5,000?
In the Canada-wide HomeStars guide above, $5,000 sits at the low end of a cosmetic update, such as replacing fixtures and some tile. A full renovation with new waterproofing and a new shower or tub typically falls in a higher range. The condition of your bathroom and your selections decide what is possible.
Is a tub-to-shower conversion cheaper than a full renovation?
Not always. A conversion still involves demolition, drain changes, waterproofing, tile and glass, so it can approach the cost of a full renovation, especially with a curbless entry or custom glass.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom renovation in Brampton?
It depends on the work. The City lists installing bathroom cupboards without changing the existing plumbing as work that does not need a permit, while installing new or altering existing plumbing, and changing or removing walls, do. Electrical work has separate ESA requirements. Confirm your project with the City of Brampton Building Division at 905-874-2401.
Every bathroom is different. Get a written estimate based on your space, your plans and the finishes you want.
REQUEST YOUR FREE BATHROOM ESTIMATESources: HomeStars: Bathroom remodel cost guide (2026) · City of Brampton: Home Improvement brochure (PDF) · City of Brampton: When a permit is not required · Electrical Safety Authority: Notifications and inspections